Sunak’s oil deal divided Tories but revealed another fissure – inside the Labour Party

The heated debate between Starmer and Miliband on climate highlights the Labour Party’s fundamental dilemma, writes Andrew Grice: whether to opt for pragmatism or posturing to win the cause – and the election

The government is resting on its laurels after being quick off the mark on renewables (PA Wire)

When Rishi Sunak announced the approval of “hundreds” of new North Sea oil and gas licences this week, he hoped to draw a dividing line between the Conservatives and Labour. He succeeded: Labour confirmed it will not issue any new North Sea licences if it wins next year’s general election.

But Sunak managed to create another dividing line – inside Labour. Ed Miliband, the shadow climate and net zero secretary, wants to “go big” (the title of his book) on Labour’s ban on new licences, arguing that trumpeting it loudly would display strong leadership on climate both at home and abroad.